Or the USSF could use the USOC to award one of the American CCL spots. That right there would make it worthwhile.

Very true, I did forget that option...mostly due to a lack of faith in the USSF. But point taken

when is the 1st round draw?

It will be announced tomorrow morning

Is the draw announced today, or just the draw date?

The draw will be announced today. It happened yesterday, but the USSF is working on where the games will be played, so once that's settled, it should be announced. Hopefully soon. There's a few of us out here that are really excited about it and want to know who's playing who.

The US Soccer site doesn't seem to be coming up for me but found the apparent draw over on bs.com, check it out.

http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=611694&page=26

http://www.usopencup.com/calendar/33279.html

U.S. Open Cup First Round

Brooklyn Knights (PDL) @ Carolina RailHawks (USL-1)
WakeMed Park, Cary, N.C. - 7:30 p.m.

NY Pancyprian Freedom (USASA) @ Real Maryland Monarchs (USL-2)
Maryland SoccerPlex, Germantown, Md. - 8 p.m.

Fredericksburg Gunners (PDL) @ Richmond Kickers (USL-2)
SportsBackers Stadium, Richmond, Va. - 8 p.m.

Boston Olympiakos (USASA) @ Western Mass Pioneers (USL-2)
Lusitano Stadium, Ludlow, Mass. - 7:30 p.m.

Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL-2) @ AAC Eagles (USASA)
Benedictine University, Lisle, Ill. - 8:30 p.m.

Cleveland City Stars (USL-2) @ Michigan Bucks (PDL)
Ultimate Soccer Arena, Pontiac, Mich. - 7:30 p.m.

St. Louis Lions (PDL) @ Minnesota Thunder (USL-1)
National Sports Center, Blaine, Minn. - 8 p.m.

RWB Adria (USASA) @ Rochester Rhinos (USL-1)
PAETEC Park, Rochester, N.Y. - 7:30 p.m.

Atlanta Silverbacks (USL-1) @ Austin Aztex (PDL)
Dragon Stadium, Austin, Texas - 8:30 p.m.

ASC New Stars (USASA) @ Charleston Battery (USL-1)
Blackbaud Stadium, Charleston, S.C. - 7:30 p.m.

Clearwater Galactics (USASA) @ Charlotte Eagles (USL-2)
Charlotte Christian School, Charlotte, N.C. - 7 p.m.

Bradenton Academics (PDL) @ Miami FC (USL-1)
Tropical Park, Miami - 8 p.m.

Seattle Sounders (USL-1) @ Arizona Sahuaros (USASA)
Grand Canyon University, Phoenix - 10:30 p.m.

Yakima Reds (PDL) @ Harrisburg City Islanders (USL-2)
Skyline Sports Complex, Harrisburg, Pa. - 7 p.m.

Crystal Palace Baltimore (USL-2) @ Los Angeles Legends (PDL)
Cougar Athletic Stadium, Azusa, Calif. - 10:30 p.m.

Hollywood United (USASA) @ Portland Timbers (USL-1)
PGE Park, Portland, Ore. - 10 p.m.

Here's the official version, just for record purposes:


First Round Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Fixtures Announced

It looks like the US Open Cup winner will get a preliminary spot in the CONCACAF Champions League. Now the USOC means something. The only reason the USOC spot was not used for the upcoming CCL is that New England already qualified as MLS runner-ups.